Oil rig explosions are some of the deadliest accidents that can occur in the oil drilling industry. These accidents are rare and commonly only occur after a perfect storm of negligence, but if you or a loved one was injured in one of these catastrophes, it is vital that you get the medical attention and legal help that you need.
After a serious accident on an oil rig, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the harms you suffered. If you were fortunate enough to survive an accident like this, talk to an attorney about recovering compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If your parent, child, or spouse was killed in one of these accidents, you may be able to hold their employer and the oil company responsible for their death. For a free consultation on your case, contact The Queenan Law Firm today at (817) 476-1797.
Common Causes of Oil Explosion Injuries
Explosions and catastrophic accidents on oil rigs are, thankfully, quite rare. In the majority of these cases, the accident is caused by numerous problems that come together to form dangers that usually do not otherwise occur. Oil rigs have multiple fail-safes to prevent accidents, including specialized equipment, proper worker training, and safety gear. If any of these fail-safes malfunction, have improper maintenance, or are not used, accidents can happen that lead to explosions. The following are all common causes that contribute to oil rig explosions and fires:
Employee Negligence
Workers may not always follow safety protocols to the letter. A coworker who cannot help but have a smoke while working on an oil rig could produce an unnecessary risk for other employees. While fires and explosions are not commonly caused by something so obviously negligent, failure to follow other safety protocols may result in minor problems that contribute to later accidents. Failing to perform safety checks, saving a problem for the next shift of workers, or simple laziness can lead to problems lingering too long, which can lead to further issues.
Equipment Malfunction
Emergency shutoff valves are some of the strongest protections against blowouts and other serious pressure issues on oil rigs. Problems with this equipment can mean excessive oil pressure that cannot be contained or shut off without manual intervention. If a valve fails, it can mean serious leaks, intense pressure accidents, and potential fires and explosions if something sparks the oil.
Lack of Safety Gear
While failing to wear a hardhat or long pants would not be a cause of the fire, it can be the reason you faced serious injuries. Certain safety gear is required at oil work sites to help prevent exposure to chemicals and, in the case of a fire or blowout, help keep workers safe from the intense pressure and potential flames. Goggles, facemasks, long pants, coveralls, steel-toed boots, gloves, and hard hats are all intended to help give you some level of protection in case of an accident. Fire suppression systems and other safety equipment should also be in place, in working order, and easily accessible to help combat serious accidents.
Suing for Injuries After an Oil Rig Disaster in Midland, Texas
If you live in Midland, TX and you were injured on an oil rig or at an oil drilling site, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. If you lost a loved one who worked on a drilling rig, you could be entitled to file a wrongful death suit for their loss. Our attorneys explain some of the details of these lawsuits.
When suing for personal injury or wrongful death, you must show that the at-fault party did something wrong. Here, the at-fault party would be the employer, who may be responsible for the accident if their employees had improper training, if their equipment malfunctioned, or if they failed to provide victims with proper safety gear.
You must also prove the damages you are seeking. If you have medical bills, you can use those to prove what treatment costs (and project future costs). If you are unable to work while you recover or your injuries are too severe for you to return to work, you can sue for lost wages and reduced earning capacity. If a loved one died, you can sue for their lost income as well. You can also sue for the pain and suffering the injury caused, including any pain and suffering someone faced before death if they were killed in the accident.
Talk to an attorney about what your case might be worth.
Midland, TX Oil Injury Attorneys Offering Free Legal Consultations
The Midland oil rig explosion lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm offer free, no-obligation consultations to help injury victims and their families recover compensation after a serious accident. If you or a loved one was involved in an oil rig explosion, call our law offices today to find out what your case might be worth and how we can fight for you. To schedule your free consultation, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.